User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Chuck Shay
a Audiophile

Date Reviewed: June 14, 2001

Bottom Line:

Like the two above reviewers I too am putting together an all tube system. I matched the PP-1 with my CR Developments Kalypso integrated amp. My next goal is to replace my Onkyo turntable/Audio Technica cart. and I've already begun layaway on a Project with Sumilk Blue Point. Ahhh, but the ASUSA PP-1. I bought it via layaway direct from the company at 20% off (a sale still going on, I believe). What a great bunch of people! Very helpful, quick to communicate and nice enough to take layaway (keeps the credit cards from killin' ya!). I went for the chrome modle to match the Kalypso and it's one made in heaven. Build quality on the PP-1 appears to be excellent. I like the seperate volume controls and the RIIA defeat button. Soundstage and imaging are fantastic (I use a pair of Celestion A-2's). It is definitely the inspiration behind my wanting a new turntable. Not to mention I've found myself picking up records of some of my favorite cd's. Even though I have an AH! Tjoeb cd player (tube output for those unfamiliar) the records still have a more "comfortable" sound to them. I'll never go back to solid state other than home theater. I could not recommend the PP-1 more enthusiastically or ASUSA products in general. It's where I'll get my next amp!

I've been trying to get my phono stage entirely tubified, and this was the last link. HW is: Decware Zen 84B amp, Decware ZTPreamp, Oracle Alexandria TT with stock arm, Sumiko BP, homebuilt speakers from North Creek Music systems, Decware cable from phono to phono stage to preamp and Vampire Wire in the rest, incl speaker cables. The unit I have is a PP-2, which is close enough to the PP-1. Main difference is the PP-2 can handle both MC and MM, and the PP-2 uses 4 12AX7 vs the 3 in the PP-1. I liked the simple, clean design of the AS-USA preamp. The power supply is on one PCB, and the audio signal is on another. There is ZERO 60Hz hum in this - I tested it by putting the needle on a record while the record was NOT spinnning, and cranking up ALL volume controls. Just got hiss from the components. I replaced ALL resistors on the audio board with Holco metal films, and a couple of tantalums. Also replaced ALL caps on the audio board with Orange Drop 716Ps and a couple of Paper in Oil on the inputs and outputs. Also replaced ALL caps on the power supply board with Panasonic caps. All wiring was done with teflon coated wire from Welborne and Angela. Also wired up separate ground wires for EACH ground point. This is a minor nit, but I figured on a phono section, because of the low voltages, you need to remove ANY potential source of noise. I just went to Home Depot and got a large grounding part from their electrical section, and used that for the star ground point inside the preamp. I then crammed each separate ground wire into it - it was a tight fit - didn't think they would all fit - there were about 9-10 separate wires to go into it. I got some nice silver wire on sale at Angela for a couple of bucks which I used for ALL ground points. Anyway, there is NO hum noise at all on this unit, so I am sure this grounding helped. Because of all the premium caps I used, I had to build a small extension as all the new caps stick out the bottom. I had some spare maple sitting around from another project and added about 1" to the bottom of the unit. It looks a little weird, but it works, and there are no wires poking out. My wife actually thought it did not have any function in the stereo unit. I need to add some velcro so the top and bottom pieces stick together, but it is working fine. I was also going to add a piece of lead in between the audio board and power supply board to further shield the audio board from any stray EMI fields. The sound with the stock CHinese 12AX7 is OK. I got some JAN5751 and some GE (I think) 12AX7 from Uncle Ned, and I much prefer the 5751 - fuller bottom end, excellent mid-range and clean, clear highs. They also supplied tube shields, but I could not get them to fit on top of the tube sockets they supplied. Other than the minor nits, it worked fine the first time I fired it up, and has been playing great for the past 8 months. My longest session has been 8 straight hours, with NO listener fatigue. I only quit because my wife was getting home from work, and i would get the usual "Turn that thing down!" But I'm sure none of you reading this ever get THAT. :-) Hope this helps anyone reading this.

This is not a "cheap" product, but it really is a solid value. The unit appears well made and has far better-than-average connectors and gain controls. It uses a simple, three-tube design that I suspect will render it almost bullet-proof for years. This is a fine match for my modest system. It's ability to reproduce chamber music and and jazz is just uncanny. One other thing - the designers appear to have paid close attention to the RIAA curve, and the unit's balanced frequency response reflects that attention.

If you're looking for a tube phono stage and makes the key advantages of tubes available, and you're not into the "am I spending enough" aspect of the hobby, you should give this one a careful audition.